Houston Aeros Booster Club

Minutes for 10/29/03

 

A Board of Directors meeting of the Houston Aeros Booster Club was held on Wednesday, October 29th, 2003 at Tortuga Coastal Cantina, 9600 Westheimer. President Ivan Kusjanovic, Treasurer Kevin Kelly, Past President John Shaw, and all five Directors (Helen Brown, Tom Huber, Dale Humphrey, Melanie Ogren, and Mark Strace) were present. Vice-President Al Whitney was absent. Basil Reyna was appointed a substitute in the absence of Secretary Erika Kusjanovic. A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order at 7:20 PM.

 

The minutes for the last Board of Directors meeting were modified. Under Unfinished Business, Chair Appointments, Charities Chair, the third sentence was changed to: “The board reached a consensus to temporarily appoint Melanie Ogren and Mark Strace Charities Co-Chairs.” The minutes were approved as corrected.

 

Reports

 

The Treasurer’s report showed a balance on hand of $ 6,710.61. A copy of the balance sheet has been added to the end of these minutes.

 

Helen Brown reported on the success of the last two Feed the Team events. She wanted to thank all of the members for their time and effort. She also reported that she is going to speak with Assistant Coach Matt Shaw to plan the next Feed the Team for early December.

 

Barbara Pride, chairperson of the Table committee, reported. The Booster Club table at Aeros home games has moved to the other side of the entrance to Sections 126/125. This is effective October 31st. Barbara made it known that no members are volunteering to work the table, and reminded the Board members that a policy has been agreed upon for Board members to work a minimum of 1 shift at the table. Barbara also asked if it would be possible to acquire at least 1 parking pass for the Toyota Center parking garage so that the person bringing the table supplies can enter the building easily and quickly. Also mentioned was an inquiry to the Aeros for help with a new banner. Ivan Kusjanovic will ask the Aeros President Tom Garrity for assistance in acquiring said pass.

 

Unfinished Business

 

The incorporation papers for the Club have been filed by David Ryan, Esquire. We should have an answer from the state in 3 – 10 days. The Treasurer delivered a check in the amount of $ 325.00 for the state incorporation fees to David. David will send us a copy of the approved documents once he receives them. Once we have the documents, we will file with the IRS for tax-exempt status as a 501c7 organization, we will open a new checking account under the Houston Hockey Booster Club name, and we will purchase the Houston Aeros Booster Club DBA from John Shaw. All documents will be given to the Secretary of the Club once they are in our possession.

 

Mark Strace sent e-mails or contacted six candidates for the Activites chair, and three responded that they would be interested. The candidates are Lexie Johnson, Julie Coulter, and Sharilyn Prideaux. The Board agreed that Mark would contact the three and ask them to plan one activity, e-mail said activity to the President, who would present it to the Board for approval. After the activities are presented, the Board would consider the candidates and vote on a choice for the Activities chair.

 

A discussion was held on the appointment of a permanent Charities Chair for the year. After discussion, Tom Huber made a motion to keep Melanie Ogren and Mark Strace as permanent co-Chairs. The vote was 9 to 1 in the affirmative.

 

Mark Strace contacted Sam Amerine and Joel Konkel about the position of Sargeant-At-Arms. Sam was not interested, but Joel was interested in the position. The Board unanimously approved Joel as the new Sargeant-At-Arms.

 

The Board members were reminded that each individual on the Board must be involved in at least one of the standing committees.

 

Megan Ahlstrom has been approved as Editorial Chair pending her official acceptance. Ivan Kusjanovic will contact Megan and verify that she is still interested.

 

Ivan Kusjanovic has the application form for membership to the AHL Booster Club Council, but has not completed and sent it in. He will do that ASAP.

 

Melanie Ogren has 29 people signed up for the road trip to the Texas Wildcatters – Louisiana Ice Gators game in Beaumont. She will contact the ticket representative tomorrow to finalize the ticket purchase. She will contact each individual for pick-up details. Tickets will be available for pick-up at all home games before November 8th (date of the trip). Other road trips were discussed, and John Shaw mentioned that he has a contact with a charter bus company for a special group travel rate, if the Club members decide to pursue that route.

 

 The status on the Club database development was tabled for the next Board meeting because Membership Chair Fred Trask and VP Al Whitney were not present.

 

New Business

 

A discussion was held on whether to have a tie-in with a restaurant for a meeting place for Club members before home games with respect to traveling together to the Toyota Center. The Board agreed that this is a duty of the Activities Chair and once the Chair is appointed she will be informed of this idea.

 

A discussion was held on determining a date and place for the end of the year Banquet. The Board agreed that this is a duty of the Charities co-Chairs and that Melanie Ogren and Mark Strace will start planning the Banquet details.

 

A discussion was held on the Board acquiring a laptop to keep documents, the Club database, and any other information necessary for Club activities. The risks and benefits were weighed, and the Board decided that the risks were greater than the benefits. No motion was proposed.

 

Mark Strace mentioned that there was no link to the Board and general meeting minutes on the Aerosboosterclub.com web page. He requested that one be established. Dale Humphrey will pass this request along to Webmaster Patrick Humphrey.

 

The next Board meeting is scheduled for November 18th at 7:00 PM, tentatively to be held at SRO Bar and Grill Northwest Mall. The next general meeting will not be scheduled until Ivan Kusjanovic contacts Cam Stewart for the availability of guest speakers. Ivan is planning to schedule the next 3 to 4 general meetings when he speaks with Cam.

 

Meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM.